Ville Aslak
Raasakka
Ville Aslak Raasakka is a Finnish composer specialized in ecology. His works are based on bioacoustic recordings, environmental research and data from macroalgae, coal mines, soil insects, oil rigs, tree roots, power plants and marine microbes.
In 2026-27 Raasakka works on commissions for the Philharmonie Luxembourg & Rainy days Festival, Yarn/Wire (New York City), Riot Ensemble (London), Annette Bik (Klangforum Wien), Neue Vocalsolisten (Stuttgart), United Instruments of Lucilin (Luxembourg) and Ensemble Contrechamps (Geneva).
"The world premiere by Ville Raasakka picks up to denounce the lack of forest protection in Finland. 'The Harvest' lets a chainsaw massacre roar."
– Christoph Irrgeher, Wiener Zeitung
"An independent and convincing voice"
– Michael Rebhahn, Neue Zeitschirft für Musik
Engagements in 2025-2027
BBC Symphony Orchestra // London, United Kingdom
Rainy days Festival // Philharmonie Luxembourg
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival // United Kingdom
Ensemble Contrechamps // Geneva
Anssi Karttunen & Magnus Lindberg // Angers, France
Yarn/Wire // New York City, United States
United Instruments of Lucilin // Luxembourg
Riot Ensemble // United Kingdom
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity // Banff, Canada
Neue Vocalsolisten // Stuttgart, Germany
ISCM World New Music Days // Lisbon, Portugal
Mivos Quartet // New York City, United States
Lorelei Dowling, bassoon, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
London Design Museum // London, United Kingdom
Kaisa Kortelainen, flute // Helsinki, Finland
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra // Turku, Finland
Annette Bik, violin, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
Chamber Orchestra Avanti! // Helsinki, Finland
Profile article written by journalist and musicologist
Tim Rutherford-Johnson (UK) for the
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival hcmf//
Upcoming Works
Thermal Movement for Thirteen (2026) 20'
for 13 Percussionists
and Text Projection by Media Theorist Jussi Parikka
Commissioned by the Philharmonie Luxembourg & Rainy days Festival for the Yarn Wire (New York), the Riot Ensemble (London)
and the United Instruments of Lucilin (Luxembourg)
What is it Like to be a Bat? (2027)
for Ensemble of 11 Musicians
Commissioned by the Time of Music Festival and Ensemble Contrechamps, Geneva, Switzerland
New Work for Vocal Ensemble (2027-28)
for Vocal Ensemble of 7 Singers
Commissioned by the Neue Vocalsolisten (Stuttgart) and
Festival ECLAT (Stuttgart)
Spider Listening (2027-28) 30'
A Series of Studies for Violin
Commissioned by Annette Bik (Klangforum Wien), Vienna, Austria
The Moss Slowly Growing (2026)
Album of Chamber Works for Flute
Kaisa Kortelainen (FI), flute, Tuija Hakkila (FI), piano and Petri Kumela (FI), guitar
Wolf at the Door (2014/27)
for Two Violins, After Hugo Wolf’s Italian Serenade (1887)
Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen, violins
Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival
➞ Minna Pensola & Antti Tikkanen (FI)
Values of Darkness (2027) 60'
Music for a contemporary dance work
for 10 Dancers,
2 Violins, Soprano and Baritone Saxophones, Tuba and Electronics
Commissioned by the Petri Kekoni Company and Dance House Helsinki
The City of Woven Streets (2027) 80'
Opera on a Novel by Emmi Itäranta
for 5 Singers,
Ensemble of 7 Musicians and Electronics
Commissioned by Ooppera Skaala and the Alexander Theatre, Helsinki
New Versions of Existing Works (2018-27)
Hong Kong New Music Ensemble, Hong Kong
Everyday etudes No. 5: laundry (2028)
for Cello, Laundry and Electronics
Commissioned by Iida-Vilhelmiina Sinivalo
The Language of Fungi (2028-29)
Concerto for Microtonal Guitar and Orchestra
Commissioned by Petri Kumela
Music for a Documentary Film (2028)
Documentary Film on Disabilities
New Work (2029)
for Mixed Choir, more info t.b.a.
New Work (2029-30)
Opera, more info t.b.a.